Hüda Kaya, former member of parliament for the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) in Istanbul, has been arrested on charges of “participating in an unlawful assembly or demonstration, resisting despite warnings and the use of force, and resisting the performance of duties.” She was detained at Istanbul Airport under the order of the prosecutor’s office.
The arrest of Hüda Kaya was announced on her social media account. According to the information received, Kaya was detained at Istanbul Airport under the directive of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, as part of an investigation opened by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
It was learned that Kaya is being investigated for charges of “participating in an unlawful assembly and demonstration, refusing to disperse despite warnings and the use of force, and resisting the performance of duties.”
In a statement made by Kaya’s lawyer, it was mentioned that Hüda Kaya’s residence was easily accessible, and her phone was turned on, but she was falsely portrayed as a fugitive.
Kaya’s lawyer, Zilan Leventoğlu, stated that they objected to this decision, but the ruling regarding Kaya was not changed. Leventoğlu said, “We leave this entirely unjust and unlawful process to the judgment of the public.”
Later in the evening, Kaya was brought to court, and a decision for her arrest was issued.
HEDEP Istanbul released a statement following Kaya’s arrest, stating: “The arrest of our former Istanbul MP Hüda Kaya after being detained at the airport is a continuation of the ongoing political crackdown operations. In the face of these attacks by the government, we will continue on our path with greater determination!”
